Patient incontinence notification system and incontinence pads

ABSTRACT

A notification system is provided that provides notification of patient events such as movement and/or incontinence. The notification system provides for a plurality of different pressure sensor pads as well as an incontinence pad to be used in association with a single monitor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/543,436, filed onAug. 10, 2017, entitled “PATIENT MOVEMENT AND INCONTINENCE NOTIFICATIONSYSTEM,” by Michael Kilcran et al. and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/649,088, filed on Mar. 28, 2018, entitled “PATIENTMOVEMENT AND INCONTINENCE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM,” by Michael Kilcran etal., the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a patient movementnotification system, an incontinence notification system, and a combinedpatient movement and incontinence notification system and componentsthereof.

Patient movement notification devices serve to notify a patient'scaretaker(s) who may better assist them. Such devices are used forpatients who are at a high risk for fall-related injury or for patientswho are not healthy enough to stand (post-operative patients, etc.).

Patient movement notification devices are currently in use that includea disposable sensor that is positioned between the patient and a bed,chair, or toilet, and an electronics module that connects to the sensorfor generating an alarm when the patient removes pressure from the padby getting out of bed or up from a chair or toilet. The alarm may be arecorded vocal command, such as “please stay in bed and use the nursecall button if you need assistance” or any other message that thecaretaker may wish to record.

Existing patient movement notification devices suffer from severaldrawbacks. One drawback is that the sensors are considered to bedisposable and are typically only to be used for 30 days or less becausethe sensors are pressure sensitive, and after having pressurecontinuously applied to the sensor, the sensor may not be able tore-expand when the patient removes pressure. However, hospitals havedifficulty monitoring the times of use such that the sensors are oftenused well beyond the permitted 30-day lifetime. Another drawback is thatexisting patient movement notification devices include a monitor thateither monitors only one sensor pad or monitors several sensor pads ofthe same type such that when a notification is issued, it is not alwaysclear which sensor pad triggered the notification. Additionally,existing patient movement notification devices often generate alarms toofrequently thus becoming a nuisance to the patient and the nurses.

Incontinence notification devices that are known are intended to detectwhen a patient has urinated or defecated in their bed. Such incontinencedevices are placed under the patient's groin area and trigger an alarmupon sensing moisture, often by using conductive traces provided on theupper surface of a moisture-impermeable pad. The moisture-impermeablestrips of such incontinence notification devices are disposable and donot serve to absorb urine.

Currently, incontinence notification systems and patient movementnotification systems are separate systems each having their own monitor.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a first sensor padcomprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient,and a transmitter circuit for transmitting first wireless signals; asecond sensor pad comprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressureapplied by a patient, and a transmitter circuit for transmitting secondwireless signals; and a monitor having a receiver for receiving thefirst and second wireless signals, the monitor generating a notificationof patient movement in response to one of the first and second wirelesssignals, wherein the second sensor pad is a different type of sensor padfrom said first sensor pad, and wherein the first and second wirelesssignals include a type code that identifies the type of sensor pad fromwhich the first and second wireless signals are sent.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a notificationsystem for providing patient movement notification and incontinencenotification is provided, the notification system comprising: a pressuresensor pad comprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied bya patient and a transmitter for generating a pressure signal in responseto the pressure sensor; an incontinence sensor pad comprising anincontinence sensor for sensing moisture due to incontinence, atransmitter associated with the incontinence sensor pad for transmittinga moisture detection signal in response to the incontinence sensor; anda monitor comprising a receiver for receiving the pressure signal andthe moisture detection signal, the monitor generates a notification ofpatient movement in response to the pressure signal, and generates anotification of incontinence in response to receipt of the moisturedetection signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a first sensor padcomprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient,and a transmitter circuit for transmitting first wireless signals; asecond sensor pad comprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressureapplied by a patient, and a transmitter circuit for transmitting secondwireless signals; and a monitor having a receiver for receiving thefirst and second wireless signals, the monitor generating a notificationof patient movement in response to one of the first and second wirelesssignals, wherein the first and second wireless signals include an activecode that identifies whether the sensor pad from which the first andsecond wireless signals are sent is active.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a first sensor padcomprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient,and a transmitter circuit for transmitting first wireless signals; asecond sensor pad comprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressureapplied by a patient, and a transmitter circuit for transmitting secondwireless signals; and a monitor having a receiver for receiving thefirst and second wireless signals, the monitor generating a notificationof patient movement in response to one of the first and second wirelesssignals, wherein the monitor comprises an input for allowing a user tocause the monitor to terminate responsiveness to all sensor pads fromwhich it receives wireless signals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; and a monitorhaving a receiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensor pad,the monitor generating a notification of patient movement in response tothe pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates that the patient isno longer applying pressure to the sensor pad, wherein the monitorcomprises a plurality of inputs and a controller coupled to theplurality of inputs, the controller is configured to reset to a factorypreset condition in response to simultaneous activation of at least oneof the plurality of inputs by the patient caregiver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a sensor devicefor a patient activity notification system is provided, the sensordevice comprising: a sensor for sensing a patient's activity; a housingincluding a slot in which two electrical contacts are biased towards oneanother; a kill tab removably disposed in the slot to connect to anelectrical wire extending between the two electrical contacts, theelectrical wire permitting current to flow between the two contacts,wherein, when the kill tab is removed from the slot, the electrical wireis pulled from at least one of the two electrical contacts so thatcurrent is prevented from flowing through the two electrical contacts;and a controller coupled to the sensor for determining whether togenerate a patient activity signal in response to patient activitysensed by the sensor, wherein at least one of the two electricalcontacts is coupled to the controller and the controller senses whethercurrent is flowing through the two electrical contacts, and wherein,when the controller senses that current is not flowing through the twoelectrical contacts, the controller executes a shutdown routine andthereafter no longer executes any further steps or instructions so as toterminate the functionality of the sensor device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; and a monitorhaving a receiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensor pad,the monitor generating a notification of patient movement in response tothe pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates that the patient isno longer applying pressure to the sensor pad, wherein the monitorcomprises a hold input for allowing a patient caregiver to preventgeneration of a notification of patient movement in response to thepressure signal from the sensor pad for a first predetermined timeperiod after the hold input has been activated by the patient caregiverto allow the patient caregiver to temporarily remove the patient fromthe sensor pad.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an incontinencewarning system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising amoisture sensor for sensing moisture due to incontinence; a transmitterassociated with the sensor pad for transmitting a moisture detectionsignal in response to the incontinence sensor; and a monitor having areceiver for receiving the moisture detection signal, the monitorgenerates a notification of incontinence in response to receipt of themoisture detection signal, wherein the monitor comprises a hold inputfor allowing a patient caregiver to prevent generation of a notificationof incontinence in response to the moisture detection signal from thesensor pad for a first predetermined time period after the hold inputhas been activated by the patient caregiver to allow the patientcaregiver an extended period to respond to an incontinence event.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a first sensor padcomprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient,and a transmitter circuit for transmitting first wireless signals; asecond sensor pad comprising a pressure sensor for sensing pressureapplied by a patient, and a transmitter circuit for transmitting secondwireless signals; a monitor comprising a receiver for receiving thefirst and second wireless signals, the monitor generating a notificationof patient movement in response to one of the first and second wirelesssignals; and a removable key module associated with the monitor andincluding a module ID code, wherein the first and second sensor padseach include a connector for electrically coupling to the removable key,and wherein the first and second sensor pads receive the module ID codefrom the removable key and subsequently include the module ID code inthe first and second wireless signals.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; and a monitorhaving a receiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensor pad,the monitor generating a notification of patient movement in response tothe pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates that the patient isno longer applying pressure to the sensor pad, wherein the monitorfurther includes at least one user input, a speaker, and a controllercoupled to the receiver, the user input, and the speaker, wherein thecontroller is responsive to inputs received from the user input andcontrols the speaker to play back confirmation tones or pre-recordedvocal confirmations of actuation of the user inputs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an incontinencesensing system is provided comprising: an incontinence sensor padcomprising first and second electrically conductive tracings on asurface thereof that extend to a terminal portion of the surface; and anincontinence electronic module releasably attached to the terminalportion of the surface of the incontinence sensor pad, the incontinenceelectronic module comprising: electrical contacts for creating anelectrical connection to the first and second electrically conductivetracings, and a circuit coupled to the electrical contacts for sensingmoisture across the first and second electrically conductive tracingsand for generating an incontinence alarm signal when moisture is sensed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an incontinencesensing pad is provided comprising: a substrate having a surface; afirst electrically conductive tracing on the surface of the substrate,the first electrically conductive tracing includes a first conductivebus connected to a first plurality of interdigitated conductiveextensions, the first conductive bus extends to a terminal portion ofthe surface; and a second electrically conductive tracing on the surfaceof the substrate, the second electrically conductive tracing includes asecond conductive bus connected to a second plurality of interdigitatedconductive extensions, the second conductive bus extends to the terminalportion of the surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an incontinencechuck is provided comprising: a substrate having a surface; and anabsorbent material disposed across at least a portion of the surface ofthe substrate, wherein the absorbent material includes a color changematerial that changes color in response to moisture absorbed such that acaretaker can determine a relative volume of moisture that has beenabsorbed based upon a size of the absorbent material that has changedcolor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an incontinencesensing system is provided comprising: an incontinence sensor padcomprising first and second electrically conductive tracings on asurface thereof that extend to a terminal portion of the surface; atemperature sensor for sensing the temperature of a patient lying on theincontinence sensor pad; and an incontinence electronic module attachedto the terminal portion of the surface of the incontinence sensor pad,the incontinence electronic module comprising: electrical contacts forcreating an electrical connection to the first and second electricallyconductive tracings, and a circuit coupled to the electrical contactsfor sensing moisture across the first and second electrically conductivetracings and for generating an incontinence alarm signal when moistureis sensed, wherein the circuit generates a bed sore advance warningsignal when the temperature sensed by the sensing circuit reaches athreshold temperature.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; a monitor havinga monitor transceiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensorpad, the monitor generating a notification of patient movement inresponse to the pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates thatthe patient is no longer applying pressure to the sensor pad; and anurse call relay device having a nurse call transceiver for providingtwo-way communication with the monitor transceiver, wherein the monitortransceiver transmits notification signals to the nurse calltransceiver, and the nurse call transceiver transmits periodic statussignals to the monitor transceiver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a toilet seat belt forsecuring a patient to a toilet, the toilet seat belt comprising: areleasable clip connecting two portions of the seat belt to secure thepatient; and a clip sensor for sensing whether the releasable clip isconnecting the two portions of the seat belt; and a signal generator forgenerating an alarm signal when the clip sensor detects that thereleasable clip no longer senses that the releasable clip is connectingthe two portions of the seat belt.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; a monitor havinga monitor transceiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensorpad, the monitor generating a notification of patient movement inresponse to the pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates thatthe patient is no longer applying pressure to the sensor pad; and amotion sensor in communication with the monitor for detecting movementof the patient, wherein the monitor tracks a time period from the lastdetected movement and generates a notification of non-movement if themotion sensor does not detect movement of the patient for at least athreshold time period.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; a monitor havinga monitor transceiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensorpad, the monitor generating a notification of patient movement inresponse to the pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates thatthe patient is no longer applying pressure to the sensor pad, whereinthe notification of patient movement is transmitted to a mobilecommunication device of a caregiver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an incontinencewarning system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising amoisture sensor for sensing moisture due to incontinence; a transmitterassociated with the sensor pad for transmitting a moisture detectionsignal in response to the incontinence sensor; and a monitor having areceiver for receiving the moisture detection signal, the monitorgenerates a notification of incontinence in response to receipt of themoisture detection signal, wherein the notification of incontinence istransmitted to a mobile communication device of a caregiver.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; and a monitorhaving a receiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensor pad,and a controller coupled to the receiver, the controller determineswhether the pressure signal indicates that the patient is no longerapplying pressure to the sensor pad and generates a notification ofpatient movement in response to the pressure signal if the pressuresignal indicates that the patient is no longer applying pressure to thesensor pad; and at least one light for illuminating an area near thepatient, wherein the controller controls the at least one light toselectively illuminate the area near the patient.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided, comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; a light stripfor selectively illuminating an area where the patient is located; and amonitor having a receiver for receiving the pressure signal from thesensor pad, the monitor generating a notification of patient movement inresponse to the pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates thatthe patient is no longer applying pressure to the sensor pad, whereinthe monitor is communicatively coupled to the light strip forcontrolling the light strip to illuminate the area in response to thepressure signal if the pressure signal indicates that the patient is nolonger applying pressure to the sensor pad.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a patient movementnotification system is provided comprising: a sensor pad comprising apressure sensor for sensing pressure applied by a patient, and atransmitter circuit for transmitting a pressure signal; and a monitorhaving a receiver for receiving the pressure signal from the sensor pad,the monitor generating a notification of patient movement in response tothe pressure signal if the pressure signal indicates that the patient isno longer applying pressure to the sensor pad, wherein the monitorfurther includes a touchscreen display and a controller coupled to thereceiver and the touchscreen display, wherein the controller isresponsive to inputs received from the touchscreen display and controlsimages displayed on the touchscreen display.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims, andappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a healthcare facility inwhich the notification system described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the components of the notificationsystem described herein;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a monitor of the notification systemshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit of the monitor shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bed pressure sensor pad of thenotification system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a chair pressure sensor pad of thenotification system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toilet pressure sensor pad of thenotification system shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8A is a close-up of the end of any one of the bed, chair, or toiletpressure sensor pads shown in FIGS. 5-7;

FIG. 8B is another close-up of the end of any one of the bed, chair, ortoilet pressure sensor pads shown in FIGS. 5-7 with an electronic key;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a pressure sensor pad electronic circuit ofany one of the bed, chair, or toilet pressure sensor pads shown in FIGS.5-7;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an electronic circuit of an incontinencesensor pad or quick connector for an incontinence sensor pad used in thenotification system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a nurse call electronic circuit of a relaydevice used in the notification system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the front of an electronic key used inthe notification system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rear of the electronic key shown inFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the front of the nurse call relaydevice used in the notification system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the rear of the nurse call relay deviceshown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the front of the monitor shown in FIG.3 and the front of a mounting plate;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the rear of the monitor and mountingplate shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18A is an exploded perspective view of a first example of anincontinence sensor pad used in the notification system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 18B is an exploded perspective view of a second example of anincontinence sensor pad used in the notification system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 19 is a close-up perspective view of the terminal end of theincontinence sensor pad, the electronic key, and a wireless module thatconnects to the terminal end of the incontinence sensor pad shown inFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the wireless module shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the incontinence sensor pad shown inFIG. 18 and a wired module that connects to the terminal end of theincontinence sensor pad;

FIG. 22 is a close-up perspective view showing the terminal end of theincontinence sensor pad and the wired module shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the front and bottom of themonitor shown in FIG. 3 with the plug from the wired module shown inFIGS. 21 and 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a quick connect wireless module in theclosed position that connects to the terminal end of the incontinencesensor pad shown in FIG. 18A or 18B;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a quick connect wireless module of FIG.24 shown in the open position;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the wireless module shown in FIG. 24 in theopen position with the locking pin extended;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the wireless module shown in FIG. 24 in theopen position with the locking pin retracted;

FIGS. 28A-28M are various examples of configurations of conductivetracings that may be used on the incontinence sensor pad shown in FIG.18B;

FIG. 29 is a top view of a roll of a substrate with conductive tracingsprinted thereon from which substrates are cut for use in theincontinence sensor pad shown in FIG. 18B;

FIGS. 30A-30T are various examples of configurations of conductive busesof conductive tracings that may be used on the incontinence sensor padshown in FIG. 18B; and

FIGS. 31A and 31B show two examples of grid marks that may be printed onthe incontinence sensor pad shown in FIG. 18B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numeralswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale andcertain components are enlarged relative to the other components forpurposes of emphasis and understanding.

Various embodiments of a notification system are described herein. Insome embodiments, the notification system issues a notification upondetection of patient movement. In other embodiments, the notificationsystem issues a notification upon detection of patient incontinence. Instill other embodiments, the notification system issues notificationsupon detection of either or both patient movement and patientincontinence. In each embodiment, the notification system includes atleast one sensor pad and a monitor. The configurations of the sensor padand the monitor may vary from embodiment to embodiment.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a portion of a care center 1 having atleast one patient room 2 with a bathroom 3. FIG. 1 also shows, alongwith FIG. 2, an example of a notification system that may be used in thecare center 1. The care center 1 may further include a nursing station 4having a nurse call/monitoring system 8. As used herein, a care center 1may be a hospital or other medical facility, or may be an assistedliving center, nursing home, or hospice, etc. It should be appreciated,however, that the embodiments described herein are not limited to use insuch a facility, but may also be used at a residence where a residentneeds to be monitored to prevent falling or where a caretaker needs tobe aware of an incontinence event by the resident.

As shown, the patient room may include a bed 5 and a chair 6, which maybe a wheelchair. The bathroom 3 may include a toilet 7. As apparent fromFIG. 1, a patient in room 2 may be at rest either in the bed 5 or in thechair 6 or may be seated on the toilet 7. When the patient is in any oneof these locations and attempts to get up and move from one of theselocations without needed assistance, there is a risk of injury from afall. Thus, a notification system 10 is provided to sense when thepatient is attempting to move from one of these locations and to warnthe patient not to attempt to move. The notification system 10 mayfurther notify a nurse that the patient is attempting to move.

To monitor events such as attempted movement and/or incontinence of thepatient, at least one sensor pad (100 a, 100 b, 100 c, 100 d) isprovided that communicates with a monitor 15 that may be mounted withinthe patient room 2 either on the wall, the chair, the bed, or outsidethe patient's room. The at least one sensor pad (100 a, 100 b, 100 c,100 d) may include a bed pressure sensor pad 100 a, a chair pressuresensor pad 100 b, a toilet pressure sensor pad 100 c (and/or a toiletseatbelt 100 e (FIG. 2)), and/or an incontinence sensor pad 100 d. Theincontinence sensor pad 100 d may be placed on the bed 5 or chair 6. Asexplained further below, the monitor 15 may be configured to onlycommunicate with one sensor pad of each type. In other words, themonitor 15 may be configured to only communicate with one bed pressuresensor pad 100 a, one chair pressure sensor pad 100 b, one toiletpressure sensor pad 100 c, one incontinence sensor pad 100 d, and onetoilet seat belt 100 e. Similarly, the nurse call relay device 200 maybe configured to only communicate with one monitor 15. For example, apatient movement notification system 10 may include: a first sensor pad(e.g., 100 a) comprising a pressure sensor 125 (FIG. 9) for sensingpressure applied by a patient, and a transmitter circuit 127 fortransmitting first wireless signals; a second sensor pad (e.g., 100 b)comprising a pressure sensor 125 for sensing pressure applied by apatient, and a transmitter circuit 127 for transmitting second wirelesssignals; and a monitor 15 having a receiver (or transceiver 80, FIG. 4)for receiving the first and second wireless signals, the monitor 15generating a notification of patient movement in response to one of thefirst and second wireless signals. The second sensor pad (e.g., 100 b)is a different type of pad from the first sensor pad (e.g., 100 a), andthe first and second wireless signals include a type code thatidentifies the type of sensor pad from which the first and secondwireless signals are sent.

The first and second wireless signals may include an active code thatidentifies whether the sensor pad from which the first and secondwireless signals are sent is active. By “active,” it is meant that thepatient is currently applying pressure to the sensor pad. By knowingwhich pressure sensor pad is active (if any), the monitor 15 may triggera notification if pressure is not sensed by the active pressure sensorpad for a predetermined time period as discussed further below.

In the context of a combined movement and incontinence notificationsystem, an example of a notification system 10 for providing patientmovement notification and incontinence notification includes: a pressuresensor pad (e.g., one of 100 a, 100 b, 100 c) comprising a pressuresensor 125 (FIG. 9) for sensing pressure applied by a patient and atransmitter 127 for generating a pressure signal in response to thepressure sensor 125; an incontinence sensor 100 d for sensing moisturedue to incontinence, the incontinence sensor 100 d comprising a moisturesensor 145 (FIG. 10) and a transmitter 147 for transmitting a moisturedetection signal in response to the moisture sensor 145; and a monitor15 comprising a receiver (or transceiver 80, FIG. 4) for receiving thepressure signal and the moisture detection signal, the monitor 15generates a notification of patient movement in response to the pressuresignal, and generates a notification of incontinence in response toreceipt of the moisture detection signal. The pressure signal and themoisture detection signal include a type code that identifies the typeof sensor from which the signals are sent. By knowing whether a signalis coming from a pressure sensor pad or an incontinence sensor pad,monitor 15 can respond differently to such a signal. Examples of thedifferent responses are discussed further below.

As shown in FIG. 1, a nurse call relay device 200 may also be providedthat receives wireless signals from the monitor 15 and may respond tosuch wireless signals by transmitting a signal to the nursecall/monitoring system 8 at the nursing station 4 using the existingnurse call wiring system 204. As described below, the nurse call relaydevice 200 may have a plug for plugging into an existing wall port ofthe existing nurse call wiring system 204 and may have a receptacle forreceiving the plug of the existing nurse call button 202. In thismanner, nurse call relay device 200 may be able to use the existingnurse call wiring system 204 without disruption to the existing nursecall button 202 functionality. Additional details of the nurse callrelay device 200 are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 11, 14, and15.

The notification system 10 may also include one or more lighting strips251 that may be disposed to illuminate a path from the bed 5 to thebathroom 3. The monitor 15 may be configured to send a signal to such alighting strip 251 to cause the strip to illuminate this path. Forexample, when it is detected via bed pressure sensor pad 100 a that thepatient has attempted to get out of bed, the monitor may cause lightingstrip 251 to illuminate so that the patient can better see the path tothe bathroom. It should be noted that the monitor 15 may be configuredto illuminate other lights within the room 2 or the bathroom 3 usingexisting wireless lighting control technology. Further, as discussedbelow, the monitor 15 may include one or more illumination lights 84 forprojecting light 9 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 4) from the monitor 15 towards thefloor of the room 2.

The monitor 15 may be configured as shown in FIG. 3 to include a housing20 that contains the electronics (described below) and at least onebattery 50 (FIG. 4). The electronics that may be included in housing 20are shown in FIG. 4. As shown, the monitor 15 includes a sensor port 79that may be a connector receptacle to receive a plug end of a wireextending from a sensor pad, such as incontinence sensor pad 100 d asshown in FIGS. 21-23. The electronics may take any form of circuitrycapable of storing a voice recording, playing the voice recording backwhen determining that the patient is moving in response to a signal fromthe active sensor pad. As such, the electronics may include any one ormore of a microphone 60, a speaker 65, a RESET push button 67 a, a HOLDpush button 67 b, a STATUS push button 67 c, a RECORD push button 67 d,a controller 70 (which may be a microprocessor, digital signalprocessor, or discrete electronic components), memory 75 (which may bememory internal to a microprocessor), a voice recorder 76, an audioamplifier 77, a sensor port 79 for connecting to a sensor pad, one ormore batteries 50, a transceiver 80, indicator lights 78, a key port 82,illuminator lights 84, an optional nurse call port 90 (FIGS. 17 and 23),and a data port 91 (FIGS. 17 and 23), which may be a USB or micro-USBport or plug, for example.

Transceiver 80 may be configured to transmit information (which mayinclude alarms and other data) to the nurse call/monitoring system 8 viathe nurse call relay device 200 or directly (if so equipped).Transceiver 80 may also be configured to transmit information to amobile communication device 250 (FIG. 2) either directly or through arouter or the nurse call/monitoring system 8. As used herein “mobilecommunication device” may include a smart phone, smart watch, a pager, acell phone, etc. This information may then be stored in an automatedrecords database of the healthcare facility or otherwise stored at thenursing station 4, and/or stored in a cloud storage server or themonitor 15. The information may include any one or more of thefollowing: warnings that a patient has had an incontinence event;warnings of a patient getting out of bed, out of a chair or wheelchair,or off of a toilet; the time and date of issuance of the warnings andthe time and date the patient returned to bed or the chair; the time ittook for staff to respond to an incident warning; the action taken; thepad type (i.e., bed, chair, toilet, incontinence) to which the warningrelates; the room number; warnings of a lost pad; and warnings ofapproaching end of life of the sensor pads with a time and date stamp.The time and date stamps may be generated at the receiving side of theinformation and stored in the records database. The records database maybe a database such as a Cerner® or EPIC® records database. By storinginformation relating to such incidents, the system may be auditable.Other data that may be recorded includes: expiration warning and actualexpiration of any pad type, complete loss of power or monitor shutdown,and low battery threshold of all components (including the monitor,pads, nurse call relay device, and all other peripheral devices).

Transceiver 80 may thus be in communication with a nursing station alarmswitchboard so as to generate appropriate alarm signals at the nursingstation 4 that identifies the patient or room and the warnings so thatthe staff can take appropriate action.

Controller 70 may also store historical information in memory 75 (orotherwise transmit the necessary information to the nursing station 4and/or records database so that the historical information may bestored). Such historical information may include times of day that thepatient historically suffers from incontinence and/or gets out of bed orattempts to get out of bed. By tracking this historical information,nurses may be sent a warning via cell phone text or other alarmmechanism to their mobile communication device 250 to check on thepatient just prior to those historical times so as to avoid theincontinence event altogether.

In some facilities, video monitoring may be used to identify when apatient has or is about to get out of bed. While this technique can beeffective, there are often too many monitors for one person to watch. Byusing the notification system 10 in conjunction with the videomonitoring system, a nurse or other person watching the video monitorsmay be warned to view a particular patient, when, for example, the fallprevention alarm is triggered. If the patient has or is attempting toget out of bed, a nurse may be sent to that room. However, if thepatient has merely moved in bed so as to trigger the fall preventionalarm, the person watching the video monitors may see that a nurse doesnot need to respond in person and simply reset the alarm remotely. Thiscuts down on false notifications that would otherwise consumesignificant time of the nursing staff.

As shown in FIG. 3, the monitor 15 may include a plurality of indicatorlights 78 a-78 g. The first indicator light 78 a indicates the status ofa connection with an auxiliary (AUX) device, which may be theincontinence sensor pad 100 d, toilet seatbelt 100 e, or any otherperipheral device. The second indicator light 78 b indicates the statusof a connection with the chair pressure sensor pad 100 b. The thirdindicator light 78 c indicates the status of a connection with the nursecall relay device 200. The fourth indicator light 78 d indicates thestatus of a connection with the toilet pressure sensor pad 100 c. Thefifth indicator light 78 e indicates the status of a connection with thebed pressure sensor pad 100 a. Indicator lights 78 f and 78 g may beused to show when the monitor 15 is powered on, when it is recording,when there is a notification/alarm event, which pad is active, and/orwhen a hold has been placed on an alarm. Lights 78 f and 78 g may alsobe used to show when data is being transferred.

The monitor 15 may optionally include a touch screen display 86 (FIG.4), which may supplement or take the place of the various push buttonsand indicator lights. The display 86 may also be used to enable adedicated face-to-face video conference between the patient and acaretaker. The controller 70 is coupled to the touch screen display 86to receive inputs therefrom and to alter the information displayedthereon.

In addition, the monitor 15 may include an integrated video camera 88that permits video monitoring by a caretaker. The system 10 may beconfigured such that video from camera 88 is only streamed to acaretaker when a notification event has taken place or when requested bythe caretaker. By also turning on one or more lights upon detecting anevent, the camera 88 will be better able to capture video duringnighttime. The video from camera 88 may be streamed to any type ofmobile communication device 250 (FIG. 2).

The monitor 15 may further include an optional nurse call port 90 (FIGS.17 and 23), which allows a simple hopper cord to be plugged into themonitor 15 and plugged in at the other end to the nurse call wiringsystem 204 so that the monitor 15 may communicate directly with thenurse call/monitoring system 8 without requiring a nurse call relaydevice 200.

The monitor 15 may further include a data port 91 (FIGS. 17 and 23) thatmay be on the bottom or back of the monitor 15. The data port 91facilitates direct connection to the electronics modules 110 of thesensor pads 100 a-100 c and the electronics module 130 of theincontinence pad 100 d. The data port may also be used for updates anddiagnostics or other functions.

As shown in FIG. 17, the monitor 15 may also optionally include a switch95 for allowing the operating mode to be set, and a switch 96 to allowthe user to adjust the tone of the alarms.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 17, the monitor 15 may also include an AC powerport 93 and an AC/DC converter power supply 94 so that the monitor 15may run off of AC power.

It should further be noted that movement notification signals orincontinence event notification signals can be sent to the patientcaretaker's (or attending nurse's) mobile communication device 250. Suchnotification signals could be sent directly from monitor 15, directlyfrom the incontinence sensor pad, in-bed sensor, diaper, or underwear,or from any of the aforementioned devices via nurse call relay device200, nurse call/monitoring system 8, or a router. Specifically,notification signals may be sent:

1. direct from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15;

2. direct from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to nurse call relay device 200 tonurse call/monitoring system 8;

3. direct from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to nurse call/monitoring system 8;

4. direct from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to mobile communication device250;

5. direct from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a home hub (i.e., Amazon Echo®,Apple HomePod®, or Google Home®);

6. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to nurse call relay device200 to nurse call/monitoring system 8;

7. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to nurse call/monitoringsystem 8;

8. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to mobile communicationdevice 250;

9. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to a home hub;

10. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to nurse call relay device200 to nurse call/monitoring system 8 to mobile device 250;

11. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to nurse call/monitoringsystem 8 to mobile device 250;

12. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to nurse call relay device200 to nurse call/monitoring system 8 to a home hub;

13. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to monitor 15 to nurse call/monitoringsystem 8 to a home hub;

14. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to nurse call relay device200 to nurse call/monitoring system 8;

15. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to nurse call/monitoringsystem 8;

16. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to nurse call relay device200 to nurse call/monitoring system 8 to mobile device 250;

17. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to nurse call/monitoringsystem 8 to mobile device 250;

18. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to nurse call relay device200 to nurse call/monitoring system 8 to a home hub;

19. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to nurse call/monitoringsystem 8 to a home hub;

20. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to mobile device 250;

21. from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to a router to a home hub; and/or

22. direct from sensor pad 100 a-100 d to an electronics moduleintegrated into bed 5.

The notification signals may be transmitted using any wireless RFtechnology or protocol, such as Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth®, LoRa®, orany other wireless protocol, for example.

Having generally described the structure of the monitor 15, thestructures of the pressure sensor pads (100 a, 100 b, 100 c), theincontinence sensor pad 100 d, and the nurse call relay device 200 willnow be described.

FIG. 5 shows the bed pressure sensor pad 100 a, which includes apressure sensor pad electronic circuit 110 a to which a kill tab 120 ais attached through a slot 121 (FIG. 8B). FIG. 6 shows the chairpressure sensor pad 100 b, which includes a pressure sensor pad 110 b towhich a kill tab 120 b is attached. FIG. 7 shows the toilet pressuresensor pad 100 c, which includes a pressure sensor pad electroniccircuit 110 c to which a kill tab 120 c is attached. FIGS. 8A and 8Bshow a close-up of an end of a pressure sensor pad (generically referredto as 100), which may be any one of sensor pads 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c.Pressure sensor pad 100 includes a pressure sensor pad electroniccircuit (generically referred to as 110), which may be any one of thepressure sensor pad electronic circuits 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c and akill tab (generically referred to as 120), which may be any one of killtabs 120 a, 120 b, and 120 c. The kill tabs 120 are provided to causethe electronic circuits to disable themselves to prevent further use ofthe sensor pads 100. As described in more detail below, pulling of akill tab 120 may cause the associated electronic circuit 110, 130 tosignal the monitor 15 that it has been disabled, which responds byeliminating the pairing with sensor pad 100 so that it does notsubsequently query whether communication with the sensor pad 100 islost.

The kill tab 120 is removably disposed in the slot 121 to connect to anelectrical wire extending between two electrical contacts. Theelectrical wire permits current to flow between the two contacts. Whenthe kill tab 120 is removed from the slot 121, the electrical wire ispulled from at least one of the two electrical contacts so that currentis prevented from flowing through the two electrical contacts. At leastone of the two electrical contacts is coupled to a controller (115, 135,155, FIGS. 9-11) and the controller senses whether current is flowingthrough the two electrical contacts. When the controller senses thatcurrent is not flowing through the two electrical contacts, thecontroller executes a shutdown routine and thereafter no longer executesany further steps or instructions so as to terminate the functionalityof the sensor device.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9 show the structure of an exemplary pressure sensorpad electronic circuit 110 for use in the pressure sensor pads 100.Pressure sensor pad electronic circuit 110 may include a key port 124for receipt of an electronic key 300 (FIGS. 3, 12, and 13). Theelectronic key 300 is associated with the monitor 15 and includes amemory device in which is stored a unique monitor identification codeidentifying the monitor 15. The key port 124 may take any form includinga USB receptacle/plug or a micro-USB receptacle/plug. To pair a sensorpad 100 with the monitor 15, the key 300 is removed from the monitor 15and is plugged into key port 124 of the sensor pad to be activated andpaired. The pressure sensor pad electronics circuit 110 in each sensorpad 100 is inactive (in a low power sleep mode) until such time that thekey 300 is inserted into the key port 124 of the pressure sensor padelectronic circuit 110. Such insertion wakes up the pressure sensor padelectronics circuit 110 and causes the pressure pad controller 115 todownload and store the unique monitor identification code identifyingthe monitor 15 that is stored in the key 300. Thereafter this causes thepressure pad controller 115 to begin periodically transmitting a signalvia a transmitter 127 that includes the downloaded monitoridentification (ID) code as well as a status code, which indicateswhether the pressure sensor pad 100 is active or inactive. By includingthe ID code of the monitor 15 in the signals transmitted from the sensorpads 100, any monitor in an adjacent room would ignore those signals andthe monitor 15 would only have to monitor signals having its ID code.The pressure sensor pad 100 is active if a pressure sensor circuit 125is sensing the application of pressure corresponding to that which wouldbe applied if a patient is laying or sitting on the pressure pad 100.The signal will also include a type code, which identifies the type ofpressure sensor pad that corresponds to the pressure sensor pad 100. Forexample, if the pressure sensor pad 100 is a bed pressure sensor pad 100a, the type code will identify the sensor pad 100 as a bed pressuresensor pad 100 a, and if the pressure sensor pad 100 is a chair pressuresensor pad 100 b, the type code will identify the pad as a chairpressure sensor pad 100 b, etc.

As an alternative to the pairing method above, the port 124 may bedirectly connected to a corresponding port on the monitor 15. A hoppercord may also be used to connect the port 124 to the monitor 15. Themonitor 15 may then directly wake up the pressure sensor pad electroniccircuit 110 and cause the pressure pad controller 115 to download andstore the unique monitor identification code identifying the monitor 15.This removes the need for the key 300.

Upon initially receiving the signal from the sensor pad 100, the monitor15 may play via speaker 65 an audible message that “______ padconnected” (where the blank would be filled in with the type of sensorpad). For example, if the type code in the received signal indicatedthat the sensor pad was a bed pressure sensor pad 100 a, the monitor 15would announce that “bed pad connected.” The monitor 15 may then alsoannounce the active/inactive status of the pressure sensor pad 100, suchas “bed pad active.” By providing these audible voice messages or atone, a caretaker may immediately know if the pressure sensor pad isproperly paired and operating. Further, a visual indication will beshown that the pad has been connected.

Also upon initially receiving a signal from a sensor pad 100, themonitor 15 may begin monitoring the time that the sensor pad 100 is inservice and may subsequently issue a notification that the sensor padlife is about to expire when the service time of that pad reaches athreshold amount of time. Such a notification may be presented at thenursing station monitoring system 8 and/or at the monitor 15.

As shown in FIG. 9, the pressure sensor pad electronic circuit 110 mayfurther include at least one battery 129 and an optional indicator light122 that may be used to indicate whether the pad 100 is active. Ingeneral, however, there should be no need for an indicator light 122 asthe status may be more easily obtained from the monitor 15 andeliminating the indicator light also eliminates any added drain on thebattery 129. The indicator light 122 may also show remaining batterylife.

As stated above, once activated, the pressure sensor pad 100periodically transmits signals including the monitor ID code, the typecode, and the active/inactive status code. The monitor 15 monitors suchsignals for changes in status. If a signal is received that indicatesthat a pressure sensor pad 100 is active, the monitor 15 announces thatthe pad is active as described above and then monitors subsequentsignals to determine if a signal includes a status code indicating thatthe pressure sensor pad 100 is inactive. If a previously active pressuresensor pad 100 becomes inactive, the monitor 15 may take any one or moreof the following steps. First, it may await a first predetermined timeperiod (of, for example, 3 seconds) before taking any action, as it ispossible the patient just moved on the bed, chair or toilet withoutgetting up in which case the received signals from the sensor pad wouldresume with a status code indicating that the pad is active with thefirst predetermined time period. If a subsequent signal with a statuscode indicating that the pad is active is received within thepredetermined time period, the monitor 15 will take no further action.However, if no subsequent signals are received with a status codeindicating that the pad is active within the predetermined time period,the monitor 15 may initially play an audible pre-recorded message thatmay state “John, please do not get up without assistance. If you needassistance please press your nurse call button.” The monitor 15 may thenawait a second predetermined time period, which may be a differentamount of time from the first predetermined time period to see if thestatus code changes back to active, at which point the monitor 15 wouldtake no further action. However, if the status code does not change backto active within the second predetermined time period, the monitor mayagain play the audible message instructing the patient not to get up andthe monitor 15 may further send a notification to the nurse monitoringsystem 8 at the nursing station 4 or to a mobile communication device250 to notify the nursing staff that the patient has gotten up withoutassistance. The caretaker may silence any such notification/alarm uponentering the patient's room 2 by pressing the RESET button 67 a onmonitor 15.

By knowing the type of pressure sensor pad 100 that is changing fromactive to inactive status, the monitor 15 may play different audibletones or messages tailored for the particular type of pressure sensorpad and/or take different actions such as immediately notifying acaretaker. For example, if the sensor pad is the bed pressure sensor pad100 a, the monitor 15 may play a message such as “Mary, please remain inyour bed. If you need assistance please press your nurse call button.”As another example, if the sensor pad is the toilet pressure sensor pad100 c, the monitor 15 may play a message such as “Mary, please remain onthe toilet. A nurse is on the way to assist you.”

In the event that the monitor 15 notices that a sensor pad 100 hasstopped sending its periodic signal for a specified amount of time, themonitor 15 may change the status flag stored therein for the particularsensor pad 100. In this way, if a caretaker presses the STATUS button 67c on the monitor 15, the monitor 15 will announce the connection statusof the various sensor pads from which signals are being received. Thiswould allow a caregiver to recognize if, for example, the chair pressuresensor pad 100 b, which may be on a wheelchair, has moved out of rangeof the monitor 15. As another example, a sensor pad may just ceaseoperating properly (such as the battery expiring prematurely), at whichpoint the caretaker pressing the STATUS button 67 c would be able todetermine which pad is not operating properly and to replace thedefective sensor pad. As an additional measure, the monitor 15 may, upondetecting that a sensor pad 100 has stopped sending its periodic signalfor a specified amount of time, treat the lack of the periodic signal asif the sensor pad went inactive and take the steps noted above, at whichpoint the caretaker would eventually be notified that the patient mayhave gotten up. Upon entering the patient's room, the caretaker wouldthen see that the patient had not gotten up and immediately be able todetermine that the sensor pad on which the patient is resting may not beoperating properly or is no longer present in the room. The caretakercould then verify this by pressing the STATUS button 67 c and listeningto the status of each sensor pad that is connected. The lost sensor pad100 may then be cleared by being unpaired by, for example, pressing acombination of two of the buttons on the monitor 15.

Although the status of the sensor pads 100 is stored in monitor 15 basedon the periodic signals received from the sensor pads, the controller 70may alternatively or additionally be configured to transmit a statusrequest signal to each of the sensor pads upon sensing that the STATUSbutton 67 c is pressed to obtain an updated status of each sensor pad.

In addition to audibly announcing the status of each sensor pad 100, themonitor 15 may illuminate indicator lights 78 a, 78 b, 78 c, 78 d, and78 e to indicate the status. For example, the monitor 15 may cause suchindicator lights to illuminate if there is an ongoing connection withthe corresponding sensor pad and may cause such indicator lights to beextinguished if there is no ongoing connection with the correspondingsensor pad. Alternatively the color of light emitted may be changed toindicate the status. These lights may be illuminated/extinguishedcontinuously or only when the STATUS button 67 c is pressed. Further,the monitor 15 may be configured to show the status using the indicatorlights 78 when the STATUS button 67 c is pressed and if the STATUSbutton 67 c is pressed and held for a certain time, the monitor 15 mayannounce which sensor pads are connected followed by an announcement ofwhich pad is active. Note that the indicator lights may also be used toshow the active sensor pad by keeping that indicator light illuminatedfor 3 seconds, for example, after the others are extinguished or byusing a different color or by flashing. A single press of the STATUSbutton 67 c may show a visual representation of the pads that areconnected and the pad that is active. A double press of STATUS button 67c may have the monitor 15 announce which sensor pads are connectedfollowed by an announcement of which pad is active. Pressing and holdingof the STATUS button 67 c will provide the local alarm tones. Thisfeature identifies the mode selected on the back of the monitor byplaying the tones that are associated with that mode. This could be asingle pressure tone, a single incontinence tone, or a combination ofthe two. This feature prevents the caregiver from having to remove themonitor from the mount to see what mode is selected. Also, a caregivercan press the STATUS button 67 c to see if a pad connection has beenlost. If a pad connection is lost, an indicator light on the monitor 15will continue to blink until the pad connection is reestablished, oruntil the pad is disconnected from the monitor.

The HOLD button 67 b on monitor 15 allows a caretaker to assist thepatient for a certain period of time without causing any notificationsor alarms if it is subsequently detected that an active sensor pad is nolonger active. For example, if a caretaker wishes to assist a patientfrom the bed to a chair or toilet, the caretaker presses the HOLD button67 b on the monitor 15. The monitor 15 will then hold for apredetermined time of, for example 30 seconds, so that it does not alarmfor this predetermined time. Such time period should be sufficient toallow a patient to be moved from the bed to the bathroom or chair atwhich point the respective toilet pressure sensor pad 100 c or chairpressure sensor pad 100 b becomes active thereby preventing any alarms.When the HOLD button 67 b is pressed, the monitor 15 may audiblyannounce that “monitor will hold for 30 seconds.” The monitor 15 maythen stay silent or periodically beep and may then state “10 secondsuntil reset” as the hold time progresses and then may state “reset” atthe expiration of the hold period. If pressure is reapplied to the padat the end of the 30 second hold, the monitor will produce a tone thatwill indicate that the pad is automatically reactivated. This toneconfirms that the pad is active after the hold. If pressure is notreapplied, the pad is not active and the monitor will not produce thenotification tone.

The monitor 15 may also be configured such that upon pressing andholding the HOLD button 67 b, the monitor 15 may hold for a longerperiod of time, such as 5 minutes. This extended hold period is usefulwhen an incontinence event has occurred. For example, if an incontinencesensor pad 100 d senses the presence of moisture, it signals the monitor15, which responds by notifying a caretaker. The caretaker would thenpress and hold the HOLD button 67 b upon entering the room. The monitor15 would then state “incontinence alarm will hold for 5 minutes,” forexample, and start a 5 minute timer. This time period may be a timeother than 5 minutes, but should be of sufficient length of time for thecaregiver to move the patient to a chair or toilet, change the sheets,terminate the wet incontinence sensor pad 100 d by pulling theassociated kill tab 120 (FIGS. 8A and 8B), and install and activate anew incontinence sensor pad 100 d (using the key 300). This 5 minutehold would not prevent any alarms or notifications from being generatedby monitor 15 pertaining to any pressure sensor pads. However, if thecaretaker is moving the patient, the caretaker may press the HOLD button67 b to initiate a 30 second hold that prevents any alarms from themonitor in response to the pressure sensor pads and then move thepatient. The caretaker may then press hold again for the 30 secondmonitor hold to move the patient back to the bed (or chair if that iswhere the incontinence event occurred). Another approach is that thecaretaker could otherwise just use the 30 second hold to move thepatient and could silence any alarm indefinitely by pulling the kill tabon the wet incontinence sensor pad 100 d. The hold on the incontinencealarm would then be indefinite until such time that a new incontinencesensor pad 100 d is activated and paired with the monitor 15.

The incontinence pad can also be silenced by simply unclipping the quickconnect 470, 470′ from the pad or diaper. When the pad or diaper isremoved, the incontinence alarm will stop. Also, if the incontinencealarm is sounding, the nurse can press the HOLD button and the monitorwill automatically select the incontinence hold over the pressure hold.Normally, a single press of the HOLD button will activate the pressurehold. The monitor may switch from a press and hold requirement for theincontinence hold, to a single press when the incontinence alarm issounding.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of an exemplary electroniccircuit 130 for use in the incontinence sensor pad 100 d or in a quickconnector module 470, 470′ (FIGS. 19-22 and 24-27). A key port 144 maybe provided for receipt of electronic key 300 (FIGS. 3, 12, and 13).Similar to the pairing process noted above with respect to pressuresensor pads, to pair an incontinence sensor pad 100 d with the monitor15, the key 300 is removed from the monitor 15 and is plugged into keyport 144 of the incontinence sensor pad 100 d to be activated andpaired. The incontinence sensor pad electronic circuit 130 in theincontinence sensor pad 100 d is inactive (in a low power sleep mode)until such time that the key 300 is inserted into the key port 144 ofthe incontinence sensor pad electronic circuit 130. Such insertion wakesup the incontinence sensor pad electronic circuit 130 and causes theincontinence pad controller 135 to download and store the unique monitoridentification code identifying the monitor 15 that is stored in the key300. Thereafter this causes the incontinence pad controller 135 to beginperiodically transmitting a signal via a transmitter 147 that includesthe downloaded monitor identification code as well as a status code,which indicates whether the incontinence sensor pad 100 d is dry or wet.By including the ID code of the monitor 15 in the signals transmittedfrom the incontinence sensor pad 100 d, any monitor in an adjacent roomwould ignore those signals and the monitor 15 would only have to monitorsignals having its ID code. A moisture sensor circuit 145 is connectedto controller 135 to indicate whether the sensor pad 100 d is wet ordry. The periodic signal will also include a type code, which identifiesthe type of sensor pad as an incontinence sensor pad 100 d. Again, it ispossible to use a different pairing method without requiring the key 300such as by connecting the electronic circuit 130 directly to the monitor15 or using a cord.

Upon initially receiving the signal from the incontinence sensor pad 100d, the monitor 15 will play via speaker 65 an audible message that“incontinence pad connected.” The monitor 15 may then also announce thewet/dry status of the incontinence sensor pad 100 d, such as“incontinence pad is dry.” By providing these audible voice messages ora tone, a caretaker may immediately know if the incontinence sensor padis properly paired and operating.

Also upon initially receiving a signal from the incontinence sensor pad100 d, the monitor 15 may begin monitoring the time that theincontinence sensor pad is in service and may subsequently issue anotification that the incontinence sensor pad life is about to expirewhen the service time of that pad reaches a threshold amount of time.Such a notification may be presented at the nursing station monitoringsystem 8, mobile communication device 250, and/or monitor 15.

As shown in FIG. 10, the electronic circuit 130 may further include atleast one battery 149 and an optional indicator light 142 that may beused to indicate whether the pad 100 d is active. In general, however,there should be no need for an indicator light 142 as the status may bemore easily obtained from the monitor 15 and eliminating the indicatorlight also eliminates any added drain on the battery 149. As explainedfurther below, electronic circuit 130 may further include a statusbutton 492′ (FIG. 25) that when pressed causes the indicator light 142to display a status wherein the status may include whether theelectronic circuit is properly electrically coupled to the sensor pad100 d. The status indicator 142 may further indicate a status when thereis an incontinence event.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an example of the key 300. As shown, key 300includes a plug 302 that may be, for example, an ⅛ inch diameter pin,that is configured to plug into key port 82 of monitor 15, key port 124of sensor pads 100, key port 144 of incontinence sensor pad 100 d, andkey port 164 or nurse call relay device 200. Note, however, that theplug 302 may alternatively be a USB or micro-USB plug. Key 300 alsoincludes a memory device in which the monitor ID may be stored and mayinclude an optional indicator light 304. The indicator light 304 may beused to indicate the status of the pairing operation when the key 300 isinserted into a key port. For example, the indicator light 304 may blinkduring a pairing operation and remain on constantly once the pairing iscomplete. Alternatively, the indicator light 304 may change color.

The body of key 300 may include one or more detents 306 a and 306 b tofacilitate gripping of the key 300 by a user so that it may be readilypulled from a key port. The body may further include two or morerecesses 305 a and 305 b to receive corresponding protruding portions ofhousing 20 of monitor 15 proximate the illumination lights 84.

Although a particular configuration of key 300 is shown, the key 300 maytake various forms and may include a USB memory stick or a similarportable memory device. Further, in some of the embodiments describedherein, key 300 may not be included as it may also be possible to pairsensor pads 100 a-100 d by directly connecting a terminal thereon to aterminal on the monitor 15. Further, pairing may be performed wirelesslyby entering each in a pairing mode at the same time and in proximity toone another.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show an example of the nurse call relay device 200. FIG.11 shows the electronics 150 within the nurse call relay device 200.Nurse call relay device 200 includes a nurse call button receptacle 160for receiving a plug 202 a of a nurse call button 202 (FIG. 1), which isconnected to the actual nurse call button via a wire 202 b. Nurse callrelay device 200 further includes a plug 165 for plugging into a wallreceptacle 204 a of a pre-existing nurse call system 204 (FIG. 1). Plugs202 a and 165 may be ¼ inch monojack plugs. As shown in FIG. 11, theelectronics 150 include a nurse call controller 155 that communicateswith both the nurse call button receptacle 160 and the plug 165 suchthat controller 155 may pass through any nurse call signal received fromnurse call button 202 to the nurse call system 204. Controller 155 mayfurther transmit other information over the nurse call system 204 viaits connection to plug 165 and wall receptacle 204 a. Although plug 165is shown as being in a fixed orientation relative to the body of thenurse call relay device 200, it may be configured in a pivotablearrangement so that it can be selectively pivoted to extend out of theback, top, or out of the side of the body of the nurse call relay device200. Alternatively, the plug 165 may be a port and the connection towall receptacle 204 a may be via a hopper cord.

Nurse call relay device 200 may further include a key port 164 forreceiving plug 302 of key 300. Nurse call relay device 200 may remain ina sleep state until such time that controller 155 detects the presenceof the key plug 302 in key port 164. Upon detecting the presence of thekey plug 302 in key port 164, the controller 155 may retrieve and storethe monitor ID stored in the memory device of key 300. This allows thenurse call relay device 200 to be paired with the monitor 15 and therebyonly respond to signals from the monitor 15 having that unique monitorID. The controller 155 may then begin transmitting a periodic signal tomonitor 15 using a nurse call transceiver 167. This periodic signalwould include the monitor ID as well as a status code and a type codeidentifying the periodic signal as coming from a nurse call relaydevice. The status code may indicate a status of at least one battery169 that is powering the nurse call relay device 200. Nurse call relaydevice 200 may also include an optional indicator light 162 to visiblyindicate a status. Again, it is possible to use a different pairingmethod without requiring the key 300 such as by connecting theelectronic circuit 150 directly to the monitor 15 or using a cord.

In addition to sending the periodic signals to the monitor 15, thetransceiver 167 may also receive signals from the monitor 15. Forexample, as discussed above, the monitor 15 may transmit signals to thenurse call relay device 200 to cause nurse call relay device 200 totransmit an alarm or other notification signal to the nursecall/monitoring system 8 at the nursing station 4. Additionally, otherdata may be transmitted from monitor 15 for transmission to the nursingstation 4, such as the historical data as discussed above. Nurse callrelay device 200 may be configured to transmit an acknowledgement signalback to monitor 15 to acknowledge receipt of any such data oralarm/notification signals.

It is also possible that information may be transmitted to the nursecall relay device 200 from the nurse call/monitoring system 8 forrelaying to monitor 15. For example, an alarm may be silenced or astatus request may be sent from the nurse call/monitoring system 8.Status information may then be sent back from the monitor 15. Further,video may be streamed to/from the monitor 15 as discussed above.

Referring back to FIG. 15, the nurse call relay device 200 may include abattery compartment 201 for storing at least one battery 169 used topower the nurse call relay device. It will be appreciated, however, thatthe nurse call relay device 200 may alternatively be powered by AC powerprovided from the hospital room using AC power port 166. As shown inFIG. 11, the nurse call relay device 200 may also include an AC/DCconverter power supply 167.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show an example of a mounting system for mounting amonitor 15 to a wall such that the monitor 15 may not be removed fromthe wall without a specific tool such as wall mount key 415 a. As shown,a mounting plate 400 is provided that may be screwed into a wall viascrews passing through holes 402 of mounting plate 400. In FIG. 16, thefront of mounting plate 400 is shown in which two vertical slots 404 aand 404 b are formed that extend upwards to openings 406 a and 406 b,respectively in the upper edge of mounting plate 400. FIG. 17 shows thebacks of monitor 15 and mounting plate 400. As shown, the back ofmonitor 15 includes a pair of parallel L-shaped flanges 408 a and 408 bthat extend vertically and are spaced apart by the same distance asvertical slots 404 a and 404 b on the front of mounting plate 400. Eachof the flanges 408 a and 408 b protrude rearwardly and has a lateral legthat extends laterally away from the lateral leg of the other flange.The slot openings 406 a and 406 b on the top edge of mounting plate 400are shaped to correspond to the profile of flanges 408 a and 408 b suchthat monitor 15 may be slid downward for mounting to mounting plate 400.When the lowermost portion of flanges 408 a and 408 b reaches the bottomof slots 404 a and 404 b, respectively, the monitor 15 cannot be movedfarther down, and a catch 410 on mounting plate 400 locks into anopening 412 on the back of monitor 15 to prevent the monitor 15 frombeing slid upwards. In this way, monitor 15 may not be removed andtampered with. A special wall mount key 415 may be required to slide upbetween the mounting plate 400 and monitor 15 to engage the catch 410 toallow the monitor 15 to be slid upwards and removed. As also shown inFIG. 17, a battery door 414 and associated catch 415 may be provided atthe back of the monitor 15 for allowing access to the batterycompartment where the at least one battery 50 is stored. By placing thebattery compartment at the back of the monitor, access to the batterycompartment may be limited to those that have the special tool forremoving the monitor 15 from the mounting plate 400.

FIG. 18A shows a first example of the construction of an incontinencesensor pad 100 d. The pad may include a moisture-impervious substrate450 that extends the entire bottom surface of the pad 100 d, a moistureabsorption pad 452 that lies over the moisture-impervious substrate 450,and a moisture-permeable substrate 454 that lies over the moistureabsorption pad 452. The two substrates 450 and 454 and absorption pad452 together form an absorption chuck for absorbing urine or otherfluids and thereby impeding the flow of such fluids to a mattress orchair. The incontinence sensor pad 100 d may further include a moisturesensor circuit 145 that may be formed of a thin substrate with twoconductive tracings extending from a sensing end 145 a of the substrateto a connecting end 145 b. The sensing end 145 a is positioned under anaperture 456 formed in a bottom moisture impervious substrate 450 whereany fluids may be detected upon absorption by pad 452. Such fluids areelectrically conductive and bridge the gap between the electricallyconductive tracings moisture sensor circuit 145. An adhesive strip 458is used to hold the moisture sensor circuit 145 in place on the bottomof moisture impervious substrate 450. An additional adhesive strip 460may be used to firmly secure the connecting end 145 b of moisture sensorcircuit 145 to the substrate 450.

FIG. 18B shows a second example of the construction of an incontinencesensor pad 100 d. All the components of the sensor pad 100 d are thesame as in FIG. 18A with the exception that the moisture sensor circuit145, adhesive strip 458, and additional adhesive strip 460 are not usedin the second example. Instead, the inward-facing side ofmoisture-impervious substrate 450 has a first electrically conductivetracing 462 on the inner surface of the substrate 450. The firstelectrically conductive tracing 462 includes a first conductive bus 463connected to a first plurality of interdigitated conductive extensions464. The first conductive bus 463 extends to a first terminal portion461 of the inner surface of substrate 450. A second electricallyconductive tracing 465 is also provided on the inner surface of thesubstrate 450. The second electrically conductive tracing 465 includes asecond conductive bus 466 connected to a second plurality ofinterdigitated conductive extensions 467. The second conductive busextends to the first terminal portion 461 of the inner surface ofsubstrate 450. The first and second conductive buses 463 and 466 extendin parallel a predetermined distance from the first terminal portion 461of the surface of substrate 450. Note that the substrate 450 may belarger than the substrate 452 and substrate 454 to facilitate couplingof the electronic module 130.

As also shown in FIGS. 28A and 29, the first and second conductive buses463 and 466 extend in parallel a second predetermined distance from asecond terminal portion 468 of the surface to create an optional secondconnection location for the electronic module 130.

The incontinence sensor pad 100 d is generally rectangular and thesecond terminal portion 468 of the surface is proximate an opposite sideof the incontinence sensor pad from the first terminal portion 461. Thegenerally rectangular incontinence sensor pad 100 d includes first,second, third, and fourth sides, wherein the first and third sides areshorter than the second and fourth sides. The first terminal portion 461is near the first side and the second terminal portion 468 is near thethird side. Alternatively, the first terminal portion 461 of the surfacemay be near the second side and the second terminal portion 468 may benear the fourth side.

A first portion of the first conductive bus 463 that extends to thefirst terminal portion 461 is co-linear with a second portion of thefirst conductive bus 463 that extends to the second terminal portion468, and a first portion of the second conductive bus 466 that extendsto the first terminal portion 461 is co-linear with a second portion ofthe second conductive bus 466 that extends to the second terminalportion 468. The benefit of this feature is that the conductive ink maybe printed on a roll of the substrate 450 as shown in FIG. 29 andsubsequently cut into separate sheets. By having the conductive buses463 and 466 extend in parallel for a distance from each edge, there is agreater manufacturing tolerance for where the cut is made in the rollwhile still ensuring an adequate location to connect the electronicsmodule 130.

FIGS. 19-23 show two different examples of ways to communicativelycouple an incontinence pad 100 d to monitor 15. FIGS. 19 and 20 show theuse of an incontinence sensor pad electronic circuit 130 such as thatshown in FIG. 10 as a means for wirelessly communicating with monitor15. The incontinence sensor pad electronic circuit 130 may be housed ina wireless module 470 that includes a clip connector 472 for clipping tothe connecting end 145 b of moisture sensor circuit 145. Clip connector472 includes a pivoting portion 474 that moves into and out ofengagement with a stationary portion 476 so as to receive and lock inplace the connector end 145 b therebetween. Stationary portion 476includes two electrically conductive terminals 478 a and 478 b forelectrically coupling to respective conductive pads 146 a and 146 b ofthe connector end 145 b of moisture sensor circuit 145. Pivoting portion474 may include a pair of springs 480 a and 480 b for biasing theconnector end 145 b against the respective electrically conductiveterminals 478 a and 478 b. The pivoting portion 474 may include a prong482 that passes through a registration hole 143 in the connector end 145b of moisture sensor circuit 145 and a recess 484 in stationary portion476. Although not shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a kill tab 120 may beprovided. Also, the wireless module 470 may include a key port 144 forreceiving the plug 302 of a key 300.

FIGS. 21-23 show an example of a wired connection of an incontinencesensor pad 100 d to monitor 15. A wired module 500 may be providedhaving a clip connector 472 for clipping to the connecting end 145 b ofmoisture sensor circuit 145. The clip connector 472 may have a pivotingportion 474 and a stationary portion 476 similar to that in the exampleshown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Wired module 500 differs from wireless module470 in that it does not include the incontinence sensor pad electroniccircuit 130. Instead, wired module 500 simply provides a connection towires 502 that connects directly to monitor 15 via a releasable clip 504and sensor port 79 (FIG. 23). In this arrangement, neither incontinencesensor pad 100 d nor wired module 500 need include its own controller,but rather the moisture sensor circuit 145 may be wired right into themonitor controller 70.

FIGS. 24-27 show an example of a wireless module 470′ that may beconnected to the terminal end 461 or 468 of the incontinence sensor pad100 d shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B. Wireless module 470′ includes a clipconnector 472′ for clipping to the terminal end 461 or 468 to makeelectrical contact with the conductive tracings 462 and 465. Clipconnector 472′ includes a pivoting portion 474′ that pivots about apivot point 475′ and moves into and out of engagement with a stationaryportion 476′ so as to receive and lock in place the terminal end 461 or468 therebetween. Stationary portion 476′ includes electricallyconductive terminals 477′ for electrically coupling to respectiveconductive buses 463 and 466 at the terminal end 461 or 468. A lockingmechanism is provided including a lock tab 490′ and a locking pin 492 a′that slides in and out of engagement with an extension piece 474 a′ ofthe pivoting portion 474′ to prevent the pivoting portion 474′ frommoving from the clipped position. Further, a status button 492′ may beprovided that when pressed causes the indicator light 142 to illuminateand thereby indicate a status. The indicator light 142 may be located onthe stationary portion 476′ underneath the pivoting portion 474′provided the pivoting portion 474′ is either transparent or has atransparent window or opening above the indicator light 142. Althoughnot shown, the wireless module 470′ may include a key port for receivingthe plug of a key, such as key 300.

The quick connect incontinence electronic modules 470, 470′ may havepins that penetrate the conductive ink material when the quick connectmodule is attached to the incontinence pad 100 d. More specifically, acloth material may be disposed on top of the conductive ink. In thiscase, it is desirable to penetrate the cloth material and the inkmaterial with the pins to form a solid connection between the quickconnect module and the conductive ink. The quick connect modules mayinclude a spring-loaded ring that surrounds the pins when the quickconnect is not in the locked position. This prevents the pins frompuncturing the material prematurely, being a hazard when the quickconnect is open, and creating a solid connection until after the quickconnect is in the locked position.

The incontinence electronic modules 130, 470, 470′ may include anattachment member on a bottom surface for engaging a surface of theincontinence sensing pad 100 d. This helps ensure that the moduleremains clipped. The attachment member may be a hook and loop-typefastener such as Velcro®, or any other mechanism.

The incontinence electronic modules 130, 470, 470′ or the sensor pad 100d may also include a temperature sensor 148 (FIG. 10) for sensing thetemperature of a patient lying on the incontinence sensor pad 100 d, thecontroller 135 generating a bed sore advance warning signal when thetemperature sensed by the temperature sensor 148 reaches a thresholdtemperature.

FIGS. 28A-28M show a number of different examples of conductive tracings462 and 465 provided on the substrate 450 of the incontinence sensor pad100 d. It will be appreciated that many other patterns may be used forthe conductive tracings.

FIGS. 30A-30T show various examples of different configurations forconductive buses 462 and 465. In FIGS. 30A-30H, the conductive buses 462and 465 do not extend to the edge of the substrate 450 whereas in FIGS.30I-30L, the conductive buses 462 and 465 extend to the edge of thesubstrate 450. In FIGS. 30M-30P, the conductive buses 462 and 465 do notextend to the edge of the substrate 450 and only form one terminal endto which to connect the electronics modules 130, 470, 470′. FIGS.30Q-30T are similar to FIGS. 30M-30P except that the conductive buses462 and 465 extend to the edge of the substrate 450.

FIGS. 31A and 31B show further examples of incontinence sensor pads 100d. The incontinence sensor pad 100 d may include grid markings 602 suchthat a caretaker can determine a relative volume of moisture that hasbeen absorbed based upon a size of a region of the absorbent materialthat has expanded due to moisture absorption. The grid markings 602 makeit easier for the caretaker to determine the size of the expandedregion.

The absorbent material optionally includes a color change material thatchanges color in response to moisture absorbed such that a caretaker candetermine a relative volume of moisture that has been absorbed basedupon a size of the absorbent material that has changed color. The colorchange material may also change color in response to a pH level of apatient's skin. Such a pH indicator may show one color if the pH levelis above a predetermined level, and may show a different color if the pHlevel is below a predetermined level.

Although the above embodiments show incontinence sensor pads 100 d and100 d′ configured as a flat pad, it may be configured as a diaper asdisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2017/0236398 A1entitled “PATIENT MOVEMENT AND INCONTINENCE NOTIFICATION DEVICES,” filedon Feb. 17, 2017, by Patrick E. Eddy et al., the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

Controller 70 of monitor 15 may be configured to perform a factoryreset. For example, the controller 70 may be configured to reset to afactory preset condition in response to simultaneous activation of atleast two of the plurality of inputs by the patient caregiver. In thiscase each of the sensor pads would need to be re-paired with monitor 15and voice commands may need to be re-recorded for a patient withouterasing any pre-stored tones. Such a factory reset may be desirable whena new patient replaces a prior patient in a particular room.

Controller 70 of monitor 15 may also be configured to cancel allpreviously paired sensor pads (but not the connected nurse call) uponpressing two buttons at once. In this case, monitor 15 is unpaired withall of the pads and those pads can no longer be re-paired with themonitor 15. This is also useful when a new patient is introduced into aroom and does not require re-pairing of the nurse call. It may bepossible in the alternative to configure the monitor 15 to allow thepads to be re-paired as if they were new pads.

It may also be desirable to configure controller 70 to cancel all padsand further to change the ID number of the monitor. The controller 70may be configured to essentially perform a factory reset and change itsID number stored in memory and subsequently in the electronic key 300.This may be done in response to pressing three buttons at once on themonitor 15 (or any other means).

It is also possible to configure controller 70 to respond to user inputof some sort to change the volume of the voice audio output or tones.For example, pressing of a button or combination of buttons on monitor15 may toggle between decibel levels 71 and 91 dB.

Further, controller 70 may respond to user input of some sort to turn anight light on and off. This may be illuminator lights 84 or the lightstrip(s) 250.

The controller of monitor 15 and/or nurse call relay device 200 may beconfigured to monitor the remaining battery life of their respectivebatteries and to generate a warning signal when the battery is about toexpire. The warning may be audibly announced or may be transmitted tothe nursing station 4.

Pressure sensor pads 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c may be constructed in anymanner previously known in the art. Examples of the pressure sensor padconstructions are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No.US 2014/0221876 A1. Also, a pressure sensor pad 100 having multi-zonesensing capabilities as disclosed in U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. US 2017/0236398 A1 may be used. The entire disclosures of U.S.Patent Application Publication Nos. US 2014/0221876 A1 and US2017/0236398 A1 are incorporated herein by reference.

Conductive tracings similar to those described above for incontinencesensor pad 100 d may be provided on the upper surface of a bed pressuresensor pad 100 a such that the functions of the bed pressure sensor pad100 a and the incontinence sensor pad 100 d may be combined into onesensor pad 100. Further, an absorbent chuck may be combined with sensorpad 100 in the same manner as discussed above and in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US 2017/0236398 A1, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

The monitor 15 may be reusable or may be disposable as described in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2014/0221876 A1, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The toilet sensor 100 c may be placed on a toilet to notify a caretakerthat the patient has attempted to get up from the toilet on their own. Asensor for such a toilet application may be constructed using a flexiblecircuit that may be connected and adhered to a surface of the toiletthat will contact the patient's skin. The device would thus sense theproperties of human skin or pressure. The unit activates once pressureis applied to the sensor or the patient touches the flex circuitcontacts. The toilet sensor 100 c may be a pressure sensing pad similarto the bed and chair pad.

It may also be desirable to provide a seat belt 100 e (FIG. 2) for thetoilet. In this case, it may not be necessary to use a toilet pressuresensor pad 100 c to detect if the patient is attempting to get up fromthe toilet. Instead, a seat belt clip sensor 502, which may beconstructed similar to a car seat belt sensor, may be provided in theseat belt to generate a signal when the seat belt is not clipped. Thissignal could be transmitted by wire or wirelessly to monitor 15. If sentwirelessly, the same pairing and signal format could be used as isdescribed above with respect to the toilet pressure sensor 100 c. Thus,a patient movement notification system may include a toilet seat belt100 e for securing a patient to a toilet. The toilet seat belt 100 eincludes a releasable clip 504 connecting two portions of the seat beltto secure the patient, and a clip sensor 502 for sensing whether thereleasable clip is clipped. The patient movement notification system mayfurther include a signal generator 505 for generating an alarm signalwhen the clip sensor detects that the releasable clip is no longerclipped. Although a toilet pressure sensor pad 100 c may not be needed,it may still be desirable to use it in combination with the seat belt100 e so that the signal generator only generates the alarm signal whenthe pressure sensor senses pressure on the toilet seat and the clipsensor 502 detects that the releasable clip 504 is no longer connectingthe two portions of the toilet seat belt 100 e. The signal generator 505may be a transmitter circuit for wirelessly transmitting the alarmsignal to the monitor 15.

The patient movement notification system 10 may further include a motionsensor 600 (FIG. 2) in communication with the monitor 15 for detectingmovement of the patient. The monitor 15 may track a time period from thelast detected movement and generate a notification of non-movement ifthe motion sensor 600 does not detect movement of the patient for atleast a threshold time period. This can assist the caregivers inensuring that the patient does not develop bed sores from lack ofmovement. Thus, upon receiving a notification of non-movement, thecaregivers can enter the room and move the patient. The motion sensor600 may be mounted anywhere so long as it can detect movement of thepatient. The motion sensor 600 may be mounted in pressure sensor pad 100a, incontinence sensor pad 100 d, or monitor 15, or may be mountedseparately.

The outer surfaces of housing 20 of monitor 15 and the sensor pads 100are preferably treated with an antimicrobial substance. The surfaces ofhousing 20 and sensor pads 100 may be coated with an antimicrobialtreatment that may be sprayed onto the surfaces using a solution and/ormay be applied using wipes soaked in such a solution. Suitable wipes andsolutions are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,491,922,the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Theabove-noted surfaces may also be treated with a mixture of3-(trihydroxysilyl) propyldimethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride andhydrogen peroxide.

Various aspects of the above embodiments may be integrated into a bed.For example, the bed pressure sensor pad 100 a may be integrated into abed mattress. An example of such is disclosed in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. US 2017/0236398 A1, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference. In this case, the bed 5 may include anelectronic interface to connect the integrated bed pressure sensor pad100 a to the monitor 15 via wired or wireless connection, and anabsorbent chuck and incontinence sensor may be provided on top of themattress and may be connected to the electronic interface included inthe bed so that a monitor 15 or alarm interface may be used.

By providing microphone 60 and voice recognition capabilities in monitor15, the monitor 15 may be programmed to respond to voice commands in amanner similar to how an Amazon Echo®, Apple HomePod®, or Google Home®operates.

As used herein, the term “communicatively coupled” means that twocomponents are associated and configured so that they communicate withone another. Such communicative coupling may be provided by hardwiringthe devices or by providing for wireless communication therebetween.

The above description is considered that of the preferred embodimentsonly. Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in theart and to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it isunderstood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and describedabove are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit thescope of the invention, which is defined by any subsequently presentedclaims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law,including the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An incontinence sensing system comprising: anincontinence sensor pad comprising first and second electricallyconductive tracings on a surface thereof that extend to a terminalportion of the surface; and an incontinence electronic module releasablyattached to the terminal portion of the surface of the incontinencesensor pad, the incontinence electronic module comprising: electricalcontacts for creating an electrical connection to the first and secondelectrically conductive tracings, and a circuit coupled to theelectrical contacts for sensing moisture across the first and secondelectrically conductive tracings and for generating an incontinencealarm signal when moisture is sensed.
 2. The incontinence sensing systemof claim 1, wherein the incontinence electronic module includes a clipfor clipping onto the terminal portion of the surface of theincontinence sensor pad.
 3. The incontinence sensing system of claim 2,wherein the clip includes a pivoting portion that opens into anunclipped position and closes into a clipped position, the incontinenceelectronic module further includes a lock for locking the pivotingportion in the clipped position to prevent release of the terminalportion of the surface of the incontinence sensor pad.
 4. Theincontinence sensing system of claim 2, wherein a portion of the clip isat least partially transparent to allow a user to view the alignment ofthe electrical contacts with the first and second electricallyconductive tracings.
 5. The incontinence sensing system of claim 1,wherein the circuit of the incontinence electronic module comprises atransmitter for wirelessly transmitting the incontinence alarm signal.6. The incontinence sensing system of claim 1, wherein the circuit ofthe incontinence electronic module comprises a wire through which theincontinence alarm signal is transmitted.
 7. The incontinence sensingsystem of claim 1, wherein the first electrically conductive tracingincludes a first conductive bus connected to a first plurality ofinterdigitated conductive extensions and the second electricallyconductive tracing includes a second conductive bus connected to asecond plurality of interdigitated conductive extensions.
 8. Theincontinence sensing system of claim 7, wherein the first and secondconductive buses extend in parallel a predetermined distance from theterminal portion of the surface.
 9. The incontinence sensing system ofclaim 8, wherein the first and second conductive buses extend inparallel a second predetermined distance from a second terminal portionof the surface to create an optional second connection location for theincontinence electronic module.
 10. The incontinence sensing system ofclaim 1, wherein the incontinence sensor pad includes an absorbentmaterial disposed across at least a portion of the surface of theincontinence sensor pad.
 11. The incontinence sensing system of claim10, wherein the absorbent material includes a color change material thatchanges color in response to moisture absorbed such that a caretaker candetermine a relative volume of moisture that has been absorbed basedupon a size of the absorbent material that has changed color.
 12. Theincontinence sensing system of claim 10, wherein the incontinence sensorpad includes grid markings such that a caretaker can determine arelative volume of moisture that has been absorbed based upon a size ofa region of the absorbent material that has expanded due to moistureabsorption.
 13. The incontinence sensing system of claim 1, wherein theincontinence electronic module comprises a status button and a statusindicator that indicates the status of the connection to the first andsecond conductive tracings when the status button is pressed.
 14. Theincontinence sensing system of claim 13, wherein the status indicatorfurther indicates a status when there is an incontinence event.
 15. Theincontinence sensing system of claim 1, wherein the incontinenceelectronic module comprises a temperature sensor for sensing thetemperature of the incontinence sensor pad, the circuit generates a bedsore advance warning signal when the temperature sensed by thetemperature sensor reaches a threshold temperature.
 16. The incontinencesensing system of claim 1, wherein the incontinence electronic modulefurther comprises: a housing including a slot in which two additionalelectrical contacts are biased towards one another; a kill tab removablydisposed in the slot to connect to an electrical wire extending betweenthe two additional electrical contacts, the electrical wire permittingcurrent to flow between the two additional electrical contacts, wherein,when the kill tab is removed from the slot, the electrical wire ispulled from at least one of the two additional electrical contacts sothat current is prevented from flowing through the two additionalelectrical contacts; and wherein at least one of the two additionalelectrical contacts is coupled to the circuit and the circuit includes acontroller that senses whether current is flowing through the twoadditional electrical contacts, and wherein, when the controller sensesthat current is not flowing through the two additional electricalcontacts, the controller executes a shutdown routine and thereafter nolonger executes any further steps or instructions so as to terminate thefunctionality of the incontinence electronic module.
 17. Theincontinence sensing system of claim 1, wherein the incontinenceelectronic module includes an attachment member on a bottom surface forengaging a surface of the incontinence sensing pad.
 18. An incontinencesensing pad comprising: a substrate having a surface; a firstelectrically conductive tracing on the surface of the substrate, thefirst electrically conductive tracing includes a first conductive busconnected to a first plurality of interdigitated conductive extensions,the first conductive bus extends to a terminal portion of the surface;and a second electrically conductive tracing on the surface of thesubstrate, the second electrically conductive tracing includes a secondconductive bus connected to a second plurality of interdigitatedconductive extensions, the second conductive bus extends to the terminalportion of the surface.
 19. The incontinence sensing pad of claim 18,wherein the first and second conductive buses extend in parallel apredetermined distance from the terminal portion of the surface.
 20. Theincontinence sensing pad of claim 19, wherein the first and secondconductive buses extend in parallel a second predetermined distance froma second terminal portion of the surface to create an optional secondconnection location for an incontinence electronic module.
 21. Theincontinence sensing pad of claim 20, wherein the incontinence sensorpad is generally rectangular and the second terminal portion of thesurface is proximate an opposite side of the incontinence sensor pad.22. The incontinence sensing pad of claim 21, wherein the generallyrectangular incontinence sensor pad includes first, second, third, andfourth sides, wherein the first and third sides are shorter than thesecond and fourth sides.
 23. The incontinence sensing pad of claim 22,wherein the terminal portion of the surface is near the first side andthe second terminal portion is near the third side.
 24. The incontinencesensing pad of claim 22, wherein the terminal portion of the surface isnear the second side and the second terminal portion is near the fourthside.
 25. The incontinence sensing pad of claim 21, wherein a firstportion of the first conductive bus that extends to the terminal portionof the surface is co-linear with a second portion of the firstconductive bus that extends to the second terminal portion of thesurface, and a first portion of the second conductive bus that extendsto the terminal portion of the surface is co-linear with a secondportion of the second conductive bus that extends to the second terminalportion of the surface.
 26. The incontinence sensing pad of claim 18,wherein the substrate includes at least one tab that extends outwardfrom a side edge of the substrate, wherein the terminal portion of thesurface is located on the at least one tab.
 27. The incontinence sensingpad of claim 18, wherein the first and second conductive buses run tothe opposite edges of the substrate.
 28. The incontinence sensing pad ofclaim 18, wherein the incontinence sensor pad includes an absorbentmaterial disposed across at least a portion of the surface of thesubstrate.
 29. The incontinence sensing pad of claim 28, wherein theabsorbent material does not extend to the edges of the substrate and thefirst and second conductive buses run to the opposite edges of theabsorbent material but not to the edges of the substrate.
 30. Theincontinence sensing pad of claim 28, wherein the absorbent materialincludes a color change material that changes color in response tomoisture absorbed such that a caretaker can determine a relative volumeof moisture that has been absorbed based upon a size of the absorbentmaterial that has changed color.
 31. The incontinence sensing device ofclaim 28, wherein the incontinence sensor pad includes grid markingssuch that a caretaker can determine a relative volume of moisture thathas been absorbed based upon a size of a region of the absorbentmaterial that has expanded due to moisture absorption.
 32. Anincontinence chuck comprising: a substrate having a surface; and anabsorbent material disposed across at least a portion of the surface ofthe substrate, wherein the absorbent material includes a color changematerial that changes color in response to moisture absorbed such that acaretaker can determine a relative volume of moisture that has beenabsorbed based upon a size of the absorbent material that has changedcolor.
 33. The incontinence chuck of claim 32, and further comprising: afirst electrically conductive tracing on the surface of the substrate,the first electrically conductive tracing includes a first conductivebus connected to a first plurality of interdigitated conductiveextensions, the first conductive bus extends to a terminal portion ofthe surface; and a second electrically conductive tracing on the surfaceof the substrate, the second electrically conductive tracing includes asecond conductive bus connected to a second plurality of interdigitatedconductive extensions, the second conductive bus extends to the terminalportion of the surface.
 34. The incontinence chuck of claim 32, whereinthe color change material also changes color in response to a pH levelof a patient's skin.
 35. An incontinence sensing system comprising: anincontinence sensor pad comprising first and second electricallyconductive tracings on a surface thereof that extend to a terminalportion of the surface; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperatureof a patient lying on the incontinence sensor pad; and an incontinenceelectronic module attached to the terminal portion of the surface of theincontinence sensor pad, the incontinence electronic module comprising:electrical contacts for creating an electrical connection to the firstand second electrically conductive tracings, and a circuit coupled tothe electrical contacts for sensing moisture across the first and secondelectrically conductive tracings and for generating an incontinencealarm signal when moisture is sensed, wherein the circuit generates abed sore advance warning signal when the temperature sensed by thesensing circuit reaches a threshold temperature.